Syringe shield assembly for housing and transporting a syringe containing radioactive drug

ABSTRACT

Syringe shield (2) includes a barrel housing (4), which includes: a barrel housing (6) with a radiation-shielding material, a first open end (8), and a second open end (10); and a removable cover (12) which is slidably connectable to the barrel housing (6). The removable cover (12) includes an end cap (14) which covers the second open end (10) when the removable cover (12) is slidably connected to the barrel housing (6). The barrel housing (4) also includes a plunger housing (16) with a radiation-shielding material. A first end (18) of the plunger housing (16) is open and is connectable to the first open end (8) of the barrel housing (4), and a second end (20) of the plunger housing (16) includes a top cap (22).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to intravenous radioactive drug deliveryand transportation, and more particularly to a syringe shield forhousing and transporting a syringe containing radioactive drug.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Radioactive drugs, such as metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) combined withradioactive iodine (1-131), are often used in the treatments of cancersand other such afflictions. Typically, these drugs are produced in aspecialty pharmacy, packaged in syringes, then transported to medicalfacilities so that they can be administered to a patient in need. Whileeffective, these drugs pose numerous dangers to various health care andnuclear medicine personnel responsible for its fabrication,transportation, handling and usage. In particular, the medicalprofessionals responsible for the administration of these drugs are atrisk of exposure to radioactivity, which may be hazardous for theirhealth. As such, it is essential that the syringes containing theseradioactive drugs are covered by a shield-type enclosure fabricated froma material that prevents excessive radioactivity from escaping thesyringe to the surrounding environment.

While various syringe shields currently exist, they are typicallydesigned for lower activity—mostly diagnostic doses and sized to housesyringes whose volumetric capacities are insufficient to contain a fulldose of the high energy radioactive drug. As such, multiple syringes areneeded, which requires additional shields and added manipulation stepswhich complicate and add time to the treatment procedures withadditional radiation exposure to workers and contamination.

In addition, current syringe shields typically cover the barrel of thesyringe and leave the plunger and the tip of the syringe accessible formanipulation. As a result, radiation will emit therefrom. Moreover, thecurrent syringe shields are generally round shapes, which can bedangerous due to the risk of them rolling off of a flat surface such asa table, creating a crushing hazard and a spill hazard.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a syringe shieldfor housing a syringe containing a radioactive drug, the syringecomprising a barrel housing comprising a radiation-shielding material, afirst open end, and a second open end, wherein the tip of the syringe isadjacent to or extends out from the second open end when the syringe ishoused in the syringe shield; a removable cover that is removablyconnectable to the barrel housing so as to cover the second open end, aswell as the tip of the syringe when the syringe is housed in the syringeshield, and so as to at least partially surround the barrel housing, anda plunger housing comprising a radiation shielding material and having afirst end that is open and is removably connectable to the removablecover so as to enclose the barrel housing therebetween and, when thesyringe is housed in the syringe shield, allow the plunger of thesyringe to extend through the first open end of the barrel housing andinto the plunger housing via the first end of the plunger housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an assembled syringe shield accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of the syringe shield of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the syringe shield of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a back view of the syringe shield of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a syringe which can be used with the syringeshield of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the barrel housing and the removablecover of the syringe shield of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the barrel housing of the syringeshield of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional top view of the barrel housing of thesyringe shield of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the removable cover of the syringeshield of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 shows a front view of the removable cover of the syringe shieldof FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the plunger housing of the syringeshield of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 shows a side view of the plunger housing of the syringe shieldof FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional side view of the plunger housing of thesyringe shield of FIG. 1, with the top cap having been removed.

FIG. 14 shows a side view of the top cap of the plunger housing of thesyringe shield of FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of an assembled syringe shieldaccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Based on the aforementioned drawbacks, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a radioactive drug device that limits exposure toradioactivity during transportation and drug delivery while minimizingthe required manual manipulation steps.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a syringeshield large enough to house a syringe containing a complete dosage of aradioactive drug for a given treatment.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a syringeshield with sufficient shielding to permit high energy (up to 1 Ci dose)shielding, enabling transportation as a YII (Yellow II) Label forTransportation of Radioactive Material. The YII Label implies theproduct for transportation meets the following criteria: i) a surfaceradiation level that does not exceed 50 millirems/hour, and ii) aradiation level at 1 meter that does not exceed 1 millirem/hour. Thefinal packaging that includes the syringe shield and the package forshipment is preferably dimensioned to ease of the transporter. Thepackage for shipment preferably comprises a cartridge box containing arigid foam having a recess that is shaped to receive the shipment item,i.e. the syringe shield, so that movement of the shipped item within thebox is prevented. Any other package for shipment is included within thescope of the invention.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a syringeshield shaped to prevent the syringe shield from rolling when placed ona flat surface.

In order to address the above and other drawbacks, a syringe shield isprovided.

The present invention is illustrated in further details by the followingnon-limiting examples.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown an embodiment of the syringeshield 2 of the present invention. The syringe shield 2 includes:

-   -   a barrel housing 6 comprising a radiation-shielding material, a        first open end 8, and a second open end 10;    -   a removable cover 12, the removable cover 12 being removably        connectable to the barrel housing 6 such that the removable        cover 12 covers the second open end 10 and such that    -   the removable cover 12 at least partially surrounds the barrel        housing 6, and    -   a plunger housing 16 comprising a radiation-shielding material,        and having a first end 18 that is open and is removably        connectable to the removable cover 12 so as to enclose the        barrel housing 6 therebetween.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-14, the removablecover 12 partially surrounds the barrel housing 6 so as to leave theunderside 36 of the barrel housing 6 uncovered. However, in embodimentsthe underside 36 of the barrel housing 6 may be covered by the removablecover 12.

The syringe shield 2 is typically used for housing a syringe 24containing a radioactive drug, such as the syringe 24 shown in FIG. 5.Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a syringe 24 including a barrel 26containing the radioactive drug, a plunger 28 with at least one plungerflange 30, 30′, and a tip 34. The syringe shield 2 is configured suchthat, when the syringe 24 is housed in the assembled syringe shield 2(i.e. when the syringe 24 has been inserted into the assembled syringeshield 2), the tip 34 of the syringe 24 is adjacent to or extends outfrom the second open end 10 of the barrel housing 6, the removable cover12 covers the tip 34 of the syringe 24, and the plunger 28 of thesyringe 24 is extendable through the first open end 8 of the barrelhousing 6 and into the plunger housing 16 via the first end 18 of theplunger housing 16. Preferably, the tip 34 of the syringe 24 isaccessible from the second open end 10 by being adjacent to or byextending out from the second open end 10 of the barrel housing 6.

In embodiments, the syringe shield 2 of the present invention can beeasily disassembled and reassembled, depending on whether a user wishesto insert a syringe 24 into the syringe shield 2, or whether a userwishes to remove or refill the syringe 24 from the syringe shield 2.

To assemble or reassemble the syringe shield 2, in an embodiment of thepresent invention, the removable cover 12 can be connected to the barrelhousing 6. If a syringe 24 is to be inserted into the syringe shield 2,it can be inserted into the barrel housing 6 before or after theremovable cover 12 has been connected thereto. The plunger housing 16can then be releasably attached to the removable cover 12 to form thesyringe shield 2. When the removable cover 12 is connected to the barrelhousing 6, and when the plunger housing 16 is connected to the removablecover 12, the radioactivity contained in the syringe 24 is completelyshielded from any angle.

When a user wishes to disassemble the syringe shield 2, for example torefill, remove, or use the syringe 24, the plunger housing 16 can bedisconnected from the removable cover 12, and the removable cover 12 canthen be disconnected from the barrel housing 6, thereby leaving thebarrel housing 6 with the syringe 24 partially contained therein. Thesyringe 24 in the barrel housing 6 can be advantageously used withoutbeing removed from the barrel housing 6. In this configuration, theplunger 28 can move freely from an extended position to a retractedposition and vice-versa. In this configuration, the tip 34 can beconnected to a needle or connected to a tubing line through a connectorsuch as a luer lock connector, and the plunger 28 can be actuated bybeing pushed and pulled manually or through a pump.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a barrel housing 6 and a removablecover 12 of an embodiment of the syringe shield 2 of the presentinvention. The removable cover 12 is removably connectable to the barrelhousing 6, for example by being slidably connectable to the barrelhousing 6, as shown for example in FIG. 6. However, the skilled personwould understand that the removable cover 12 could be removablyconnected to the barrel housing 6 in a variety of ways, such as, forexample: a threaded connection, a hinged connection, a pinnedconnection, through the use of magnetic catches, or mechanical latches.In embodiments, the removable cover 12 may be removably connected to thebarrel housing 6 by means of a two-part shell that encloses the barrelhousing 6 wherein the shell has a locking means to secure the closure ofthe two-part shell around the barrel housing, or by means of a shellthat can partly enclose the barrel housing wherein the shell has lockingmeans to secure the shell to the barrel housing, or any other embodimentthat falls in the scope of the claims.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, there is shown a barrel housing 6 of anembodiment of the syringe shield 2 of the present invention. The barrelhousing 6 of the syringe shield 2 is for housing the barrel 26 of thesyringe 24 when the syringe 24 is placed inside the syringe shield 2. Asstated, the barrel housing 6 comprises a radiation shielding material, afirst open end 8, and a second open end 10. The syringe 24 is insertablein the barrel housing 6 such that the plunger 28 is extendable throughthe first open end 8 and the tip 34 is accessible from the second openend 10. According to embodiments of the invention, the tip 34 of thesyringe 24 can be adjacent to or extend out the second open end 10.Advantageously, the syringe 24 can be in use and in connection with atubing line and a pump system while remaining located inside the barrelhousing 6. Preferably, the barrel housing 6 provides high radiationshielding and emits radiation primarily through its first and secondopen ends 8 and 10.

In embodiments, when the syringe 24 is inserted into the syringe shield2, the barrel 26 of the syringe 24 will rest inside the barrel housing6, while the plunger 28 of the syringe 24, when in an extended position,will extend through the first open end 8 of the barrel housing 6, andthe tip 34 of the syringe 24 will be accessible from the second open end10 of the barrel housing 6.

In an embodiment, and as shown for example in FIGS. 3 and 4, theunderside 36 of the barrel housing 6 is shaped so as to prevent thebarrel housing 6 from rolling, which thereby prevents the syringe shield2 from rolling when placed on a flat surface. Preferably, the underside36 of the barrel housing 6 is flat.

The syringe 24 is insertable through the first open end 8 of the barrelhousing 6. The first open end 8 of the barrel housing 6 can also beshaped to receive at least one of the flanges 30, 30′ of the plunger 28of the syringe 24. The first open end 8 of the barrel housing 6 can alsobe designed to releasably engage with at least one of the flanges 30,30′ of the plunger 28. In a preferred embodiment, the first open end 8of the barrel housing 6 is designed to releasably engage both flanges30, 30′. For example, either of the flanges 30, 30′ of the plunger 28can function as a twist-lock element that, when twisted, will bereceived by a twist-lock flange receiver 48 or 48′ in the barrel housing6 (as shown for example in FIGS. 6 and 7), thereby better securing thesyringe 24 to the barrel housing 6. To release the syringe 24, thesyringe 24 need only be twisted in the opposite direction to disengagethe plunger flanges 30, 30′ from the twist-lock flange receivers 48 and48′. According to a preferred embodiment, the flange receivers 48, 48′are one single element in the form of a round recess in the first openend 8.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, there is shown a removable cover 12 of anembodiment of the syringe shield 2 of the present invention. Inembodiments, and as shown for example in FIG. 6, the removable cover 12is shaped so as to cover all surfaces of the barrel housing 6 except theunderside 36 of the barrel housing 6 and the first open end 8. This canallow the removable cover 12 to be removably connected to, preferablyslidably mounted onto, the barrel housing 6 without having to lift thebarrel housing 6, and without covering the first open end 8.

When the removable cover 12 is mounted on the barrel housing 6, theremovable cover 12 will cover the second open end 10 of the barrelhousing 6. In embodiments, when the removable cover 12 is removablyconnected to the barrel housing 6, the removable cover 12 will not be indirect contact with the second open end 10 of the barrel housing 6,thereby creating a gap 49 between the second open end 10 and theremovable cover 12 (see for example FIG. 2). In embodiments, theremovable cover 12 can shield radioactivity that is being emitted fromthe tip 34 of the syringe 24. Accordingly, the removable cover 12 cancontain a radiation shielding material. In embodiments, the removablecover 12 comprises a puck 38 of radiation shielding material, preferablya tungsten puck, which covers the second open end 10 of the barrelhousing 6 when the removable cover 12 is removably connected to thebarrel housing 6. In embodiments, the puck 38 of radiation shieldingmaterial can be retained in the removable cover 12 by a covering plate40, which can be secured to the removable cover 12 using screws 42, 42′,42″, 42′″ for example, as shown for example in FIGS. 2 and 10.

The removable cover 12 may further comprise a handle 44, preferably onthe top side 50 thereof as shown in for example in FIG. 2. This handle44 facilitates manipulating the removable cover 12, such as when itneeds to be removed from or connected to the barrel housing 6. Thishandle 44 will also allow for a convenient way of carrying the syringeshield 2, once fully assembled. In addition, the handle 44, if placed onthe top side 50 of the removable cover 12, will make it easier to orientthe syringe shield 2, as the user would understand that the handle 44indicates which side of the syringe shield 2 corresponds to the top side50.

In embodiments, the removable cover 12 is shaped so that it can beslidably mounted onto the barrel housing 6 by sliding the removablecover 12 in a direction from the second open end 10 towards the firstopen end 8. As shown for example in FIG. 6, the removable cover 12 canbe shaped to receive a partially cylindrically shaped barrel housing 6with a flat underside 36. This can be achieved for example by having theremovable cover 12 be shaped as a partially cylindrical shell, as shownfor example in FIG. 9. In addition, with such a configuration, and dueto the fact that the removable cover 12 covers the second end 10 of thebarrel housing 6, the removable cover 12 can only be removed from thebarrel housing 6 by sliding it in the opposite direction, meaning in adirection from the first open end 8 towards the second open end 10.However, it is to be understood that the removable cover 12 can beshaped and configured so as to be removably connectable to the barrelhousing 6 in a number of manners. In an embodiment of the invention, theremovable cover 12 can be disconnected from the barrel housing 6 withoutneeding to manipulate or lift the barrel housing 6.

In an embodiment, the barrel housing 6 comprises radiation shieldingmaterial, preferably tungsten, and casing material, preferably stainlesssteel, while the removable cover 12 comprises casing material,preferably stainless steel, such that the barrel housing 6 and removablecover 12 can be connected together to form a casing, preferably astainless steel casing, and a radiation shielding material internallayer 52, preferably a tungsten internal layer, as shown for example inFIG. 2. In another embodiment, the barrel housing 6 comprises radiationshielding material, preferably tungsten, and the removable cover 12comprises casing material, preferably stainless steel.

Referring to FIGS. 11, 12, and 13, there is shown a plunger housing 16of an embodiment of the syringe shield 2 of the present invention. Theplunger housing 16 of the syringe shield 2 is for housing the plunger 28of the syringe 24 when the plunger 28 is in an extended position. Theplunger housing 16 comprises a first end 18 which is open and which isreleasably connectable to the removable cover 12 so as to align with thefirst open end 8 of the barrel housing 6. As shown for example in FIG.11, the plunger housing 16 may further comprise a top cap 22 releasablyconnected to a second end 20 thereof. In embodiments, and as can be seenfor example in FIG. 2, the top cap 22 can be releasably secured to theplunger housing 16 via threaded connections. As such, the top cap 22 andthe plunger housing 16 may each comprise a threaded section 54, 54′. Itis to be understood that in embodiments comprising a removable top cap22, if the top cap 22 were to be removed, the second end 20 of theplunger housing 16 would be open, as shown for example in FIG. 13.

Referring to FIG. 14, there is shown a top cap 22 of a plunger housing16 of an embodiment of the syringe shield 2 of the present invention. Inpreferred embodiments, the top cap 22 is for shielding radioactivityfrom being emitted from the plunger 28 of the syringe 24. Accordingly,in such preferred embodiments, the top cap 22 will contain a radiationshielding material. In embodiments, the top cap 22 comprises a puck 56of radiation shielding material, preferably a tungsten puck. Inembodiments, and as shown for example in FIG. 2, the puck 56 ofradiation shielding material can be retained in the plunger housing 16by having a section of the plunger housing 16 possess a narrowerdiameter, thereby defining a cavity in the plunger housing 16 which willhold the puck 56 of radiation shielding material.

The plunger housing 16 can be releasably secured to the removable cover12 and optionally the barrel housing 6 in a variety of ways, such as byusing a twist-lock assembly, or any other mechanical connection such as,but not exclusively,: a threaded connection, a hinged connection, apinned connection, through the use of magnetic catches, or mechanicallatches. In preferred embodiments, such as for example the embodimentsshown in FIGS. 1 and 15, the plunger housing 16 is releasably secured tothe removable cover 12 and optionally the barrel housing 6 by using atwist-lock assembly. For example, and as shown for example in FIG. 11,the plunger housing 16 may have a plurality of twist-lock elements 58,58′, 58″ extending radially from the first end 18 of the plunger housing16. As shown for example in FIG. 3, these twist-lock elements 58, 58′,58″, when placed against the first open end 8 of the barrel housing 6and twisted, can be received by twist-lock recesses 60, 60′, 60″ in theremovable cover 12 and optionally the barrel housing 6, therebyreleasably connecting the plunger housing 16 to the removable cover 12and optionally the barrel housing 6. In addition, securing the plungerhousing 16 to the removable cover 12 and the barrel housing 6 will alsobetter secure the barrel housing 6 to the removable cover 12; thisoccurs if for example both the removable cover 12 and the barrel housing6 comprise twist-lock recesses 60, 60′, 60″ that receive twist-lockelements 58, 58′, 58″, as shown for example in FIG. 6. As also shown forexample in FIG. 6, the barrel housing 6 and/or the removable cover 12may further comprise a securing means 62 to better secure the plungerhousing 16 by helping prevent the twist-lock elements 58, 58′, 58″ fromunwantedly being twisted out of the twist lock recesses 60, 60′, 60″. Inpreferred embodiments, the securing means 62 are a spring plunger (FIG.6), a locking pin (as shown for example in FIG. 15), or any of, but notlimited to, magnetic catch, anchor, latch or dowel. In preferredembodiments, the securing means are a spring plunger or a locking pin.

Referring to FIG. 15, there is shown an embodiment of the syringe shield2 of the present invention where the twist-lock elements 58, 58′, 58″are received by twist-lock recesses 60, 60′, 60″ in the removable cover12 alone, as opposed to being received by twist-lock recesses 60, 60′,60″ in both the removable cover 12 and the barrel housing 6. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 15, the securing means 62 are a locking pinlocated on the barrel housing 6, as opposed to a spring plunger locatedon the removable cover 6 (as shown for example in FIG. 6).

In embodiments, as shown for example in FIG. 14, the top cap 22comprises a handle 64, which allows for a convenient way of carrying thesyringe shield 2 once fully assembled. In embodiments, the handle 64 canmake it easier to remove the top cap 22 from the plunger housing 16. Inembodiments, the handle 64 is secured to the top cap 22 with a screw 66,as shown for example in FIG. 2.

In an embodiment, and as shown for example in FIGS. 2 and 12, theplunger housing 16 comprises an inner layer 68, preferably a radiationshielding material inner layer, more preferably a tungsten inner layer,and an outer layer 70, preferably made of stainless steel. In apreferred embodiment, the removable cover 12 and the top cap 22 are eachmade of stainless steel and each comprise a puck of radiation shieldingmaterial, preferably a puck of tungsten.

In an embodiment, and as shown for example in FIGS. 2 and 12, the innerlayer 68 can extend beyond the outer layer 70 at the first end 18. Wthsuch a configuration, and as shown for example in FIGS. 6 and 7, thebarrel housing 6 may comprise a recess 72 whose diameter is sufficientlylarge to receive the inner layer 68 of the plunger housing 16, but notlarge enough to receive the outer layer 70. As shown for example in FIG.2, the recess will receive the inner layer 68 when the plunger housing16 is releasably attached to the removable cover 12 and optionally thebarrel housing 6. This can help better secure the plunger housing 16 tothe barrel housing 6. In addition, this can help the user guide theplunger housing 16 to the barrel housing 6, thereby making it easier toattach the plunger housing 16 to the removable cover 12 and optionallythe barrel housing 6.

In an embodiment, the radiation-shielding material provides a propershielding to the radioactive drug, wherein said radioactive drug has aradioactivity of up to 300 mCi, up to 350 mCi, up to 400 mCi, up to 450mCi, up to 500 mCi, up to 550 mCi, up to 600 mCi, up to 700 mCi, up to800 mCi, up to 900 mCi, or up to 1 Ci. Preferably, the radioactive drughaving a radioactivity up to 1 Ci comprises iodine-131. The radiationshielding material may comprise tungsten, lead, stainless steel,aluminum alloy or a combination thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the radiation-shielding material comprisestungsten. In an embodiment, the radiation-shielding material comprises acombination of lead and tungsten. In an embodiment, theradiation-shielding material comprises a combination of stainless steeland tungsten. In an embodiment, the radiation-shielding materialcomprises a combination of alloy and tungsten. In an embodiment, theradiation-shielding material comprises a combination of stainless steel,aluminum alloy and tungsten. The non-radiation shielding material maycomprise stainless steel, aluminum alloy or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the syringe shield 2 is dimensioned to receive asyringe 24 containing up to one of thirty milliliters or sixtymilliliters of the radioactive drug.

In an embodiment, the total weight of the syringe shield 2 is no morethan 55 lbs, no more than 50 lbs, no more than 45 lbs, no more than 40lbs, no more than 35 lbs, or no more than 30 lbs.

The present invention contemplates any combination of the embodimentsand the preferred elements described therein. For conciseness, everycombination is not recited therein although every combination iscontemplated herein by the inventors and is thus encompassed the presentdisclosure. While this invention has been described in detail withreference to certain preferred embodiments, it should be appreciatedthat the present invention is not limited to those precise embodiments.Rather, in view of the present disclosure, which describes the currentbest mode for practicing the invention, many modifications andvariations would present themselves to those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope, and spirit of this invention. The scope of theclaims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth inthe examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistentwith the description as a whole.

1. A syringe shield for housing a syringe (24) containing a radioactivedrug, the syringe (24) comprising a barrel (26) containing theradioactive drug, a plunger (28) and a tip (34), comprising: a barrelhousing (6) comprising a radiation-shielding material, a first open end(8), and a second open end (10), wherein the tip (34) of the syringe(24) is adjacent to or extends out from the second open end (10) whenthe syringe (24) is housed in the syringe shield (2); a removable cover(12) that is removably connectable to the barrel housing (6) so as tocover the second open end (10), as well as the tip (34) of the syringe(24) when the syringe (24) is housed in the syringe shield (2), and soas to at least partially surround the barrel housing (6), and a plungerhousing (16) comprising a radiation shielding material and having afirst end (18) that is open and is removably connectable to theremovable cover (12) so as to enclose the barrel housing (6)therebetween and, when the syringe (24) is housed in the syringe shield(2), allow the plunger (28) of the syringe (24) to extend through thefirst open end (8) of the barrel housing (6) and into the plungerhousing (16) via the first end (18) of the plunger housing (16).
 2. Thesyringe shield according to claim 1, wherein the plunger (28) of thesyringe (24) comprises at least one plunger flange (30, 30′), and thefirst open end (8) of the barrel housing (6) is shaped to receive atleast one plunger flange (30, 30′).
 3. The syringe shield according toclaim 2, wherein the first open end (8) of the barrel housing (6) isconfigured to releasably engage with the at least one flange (30, 30′)of the plunger (28).
 4. The syringe shield according to claim 3, whereinat least one flange (30, 30′) of the plunger (28) functions as atwist-lock element that, when twisted, is receivable by a twist-lockflange receiver (48, 48′) in the barrel housing (6).
 5. The syringeshield according to claim 1, wherein the removable cover (12) isconfigured to partially surround the barrel housing (6) so as to exposethe underside (36) of the barrel housing (6) when the removable cover(12) is removably connected to the barrel housing (6), and wherein theunderside (36) of the barrel housing (6) is shaped so as to prevent thebarrel housing (6) from rolling when placed on a flat surface.
 6. Thesyringe shield according to claim 5, wherein the underside (36) of thebarrel housing (6) is flat.
 7. The syringe shield according to claim 1,wherein the removable cover (12) is shaped so as to cover all surfacesof the barrel housing (6), except the underside (36) of the barrelhousing (6) and the first open end (8), when the removable cover (12) isremovably connected to the barrel housing (6).
 8. The syringe shieldaccording to claim 1, wherein the removable cover (12) comprises a puck(38) which comprises a radiation shielding material, wherein the puck(38) covers the second open end (10) of the barrel housing (6) when theremovable cover (12) is removably connected to the barrel housing (6).9. The syringe shield according to claim 1, wherein the removable cover(12) further comprises a handle (44).
 10. The syringe shield accordingto claim 1, wherein the removable cover (12) is shaped so that it isslidably mountable onto the barrel housing (6) by sliding the removablecover (12) in a direction from the second open end (10) towards thefirst open end (8).
 11. The syringe shield according to claim 1, whereinthe removable cover (12) is shaped to receive a partially cylindricallyshaped barrel housing (6) with a flat underside (36).
 12. The syringeshield according to claim 1, wherein the removable cover (12) is shapedas a partially cylindrical shell.
 13. The syringe shield according toclaim 1, wherein the cover (12) is shaped so that said removable cover(12) can only be removed from the barrel housing (6) by sliding saidremovable cover (12) in a direction from the first open end (8) towardsthe second open end (10).
 14. The syringe shield according to claim 1,wherein the barrel housing (6) comprises a cylindrical section made ofradiation shielding material, and a base providing a flat underside(36).
 15. The syringe shield according to claim 1, wherein the plungerhousing (16) has an internal surface comprising a radiation shieldingmaterial.
 16. The syringe shield according to claim 1, wherein theplunger housing (16) further comprises a top cap (22) that comprises apuck (56) of radiation shielding material.
 17. The syringe shieldaccording to claim 1, wherein the plunger housing (16) is releasablyconnectable to the removable cover (12) using a twist-lock assembly. 18.The syringe shield according to claim 1, wherein the plunger housing(16) is releasably connectable to the removable cover (12) and thebarrel housing (6) using a twist-lock assembly.
 19. The syringe shieldaccording to claim 1, wherein the radiation shielding material comprisestungsten, lead, stainless steel, an aluminum alloy, or a combinationthereof.
 20. The syringe shield according to claim 1, wherein theradiation-shielding material comprises tungsten.
 21. The syringe shieldaccording to claim 1, wherein the syringe shield (2) is dimensioned toreceive a syringe (24) containing up to thirty milliliters or up tosixty milliliters of said radioactive drug.
 22. The syringe shieldaccording to claim 1, wherein the total weight of the syringe shield (2)is no more than 55 lbs.
 23. The syringe shield according to claim 1,wherein said radioactive drug has a radioactivity of up to 1 Ci, and thesyringe shield has a radiation-shielding material that provides ashielding that meets the Yellow II label criteria for transportation ofradioactive material.